Fat, Oil & Grease Management

Fat, Oil & Grease Management

Fat, Oil & Grease (FOG) Management for Commercial Kitchens & Hospitality (London & Home Counties)

Fat, oil and grease (FOG) is one of the biggest causes of drainage blockages in hospitality. It builds up silently inside pipework, cools and hardens, then catches food waste and debris until the line restricts or blocks completely.

For restaurants, hotels, pubs, bars, stadiums, schools, and multi-tenant food courts, a single FOG-related incident can mean kitchen downtime, customer disruption, emergency call-outs, and reputational risk.

ICE Drainage provides fat, oil & grease management across London and the Home Counties, helping hospitality operators and facilities management (FM) teams prevent blockages, reduce reactive spend, and stay compliant.

To discuss a grease management plan or book an urgent visit, call 0203 376 4801 or email contactus@icedrainage.co.uk.

What Is FOG (Fat, Oil & Grease)?

FOG is produced during everyday cooking and cleaning activities, including:

• Frying oils and fats

• Butter, lard and animal fats

• Sauces, dairy, and food residues

• Dishwashing and pot wash effluent

When FOG enters drainage, it cools and adheres to pipe walls. Over time it forms thick layers that reduce internal diameter and restrict flow.

Why FOG Management Matters (Especially in Hospitality)

Without a plan, FOG build-up can lead to:

• Recurring blocked drains and slow sinks

• Back-ups into kitchens and wash areas

• Odours and hygiene issues

• Flooding and slip hazards

• Emergency call-outs (often out of hours)

• Increased risk of pollution incidents

• Higher long-term maintenance costs

A proactive grease management approach keeps kitchens operational and helps avoid preventable incidents.

Common Signs of FOG Build-Up

FOG problems often start small. Warning signs include:

• Slow draining sinks and pot wash areas

• Gurgling sounds in pipework

• Persistent odours near gullies or drains

• Repeated local blockages in the same area

• Greasy residue around floor drains

• Blockages that return shortly after jetting

If youre seeing repeat issues, theres usually an underlying build-up problem in the main line.

Our Fat, Oil & Grease Management Service

We tailor grease management to the site, kitchen usage, and risk level. Typical support includes a combination of cleaning, maintenance, and practical recommendations.

1) Site assessment and grease risk review

We look at:

• Kitchen layout and discharge points

• Peak service periods and usage patterns

• Historic blockages and known problem areas

• Grease trap/interceptor presence and condition (where installed)

• Access points for maintenance

This helps us recommend a realistic plan that works operationally.

2) Grease line cleaning and clearance

Where FOG has built up in pipework, we carry out targeted cleaning to remove deposits and restore flow capacity. Depending on the situation, this may include:

• High-pressure water jetting

• Mechanical cleaning methods where appropriate

• Targeted cutting/milling recommendations for heavy deposits (if required)

The goal is to treat the cause  not just clear the symptom.

3) Grease trap / interceptor cleaning (where applicable)

If your site has a grease trap or interceptor, it needs routine maintenance to perform properly. We can support cleaning and servicing so it continues to capture FOG before it reaches the drainage network.

4) Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) programmes

For busy hospitality sites, planned grease management is usually the most cost-effective approach. A PPM plan can include:

• Scheduled line cleaning (based on usage)

• Seasonal adjustments (e.g., higher volumes during events)

• Routine checks of key access points

• Reporting and recommendations

5) Reporting and evidence for FM and compliance

For facilities teams and multi-site operators, we can provide clear reporting to support:

• Budget planning

• Contractor management

• Internal compliance and audit trails

• Stakeholder updates

Grease Management for Facilities Management (FM) & Multi-Site Hospitality

If you manage multiple venues, consistency is everything. We support FM teams with:

• Standardised grease management schedules across sites

• Out-of-hours work options to avoid service disruption

• Clear scopes and reporting for approvals

• Reactive support when incidents occur

This is particularly useful for hotel groups, pub chains, and multi-tenant food locations.

Best Practices to Reduce FOG Issues (Operational Guidance)

A good grease management plan often combines engineering and operations. Practical steps include:

• Never pouring cooking oil down sinks or floor drains

• Scraping plates and pans before washing

• Using strainers to catch food waste

• Keeping grease traps maintained and correctly sized

• Training staff on FOG awareness

We can advise on whats realistic for your site and where maintenance will have the biggest impact.

Why Choose ICE Drainage?

• Hospitality-focused support for kitchens and high-usage sites

• Commercial-first approach for FM and property teams

• London & Home Counties coverage

• Reactive and planned maintenance options

• Credentials: Safe Contractor, SSSTS, Constructionline Gold

ICE Drainage is a specialist service expansion of ICE Cleaning, a leading sewage cleaning company in the UK.

Book Fat, Oil & Grease Management

To arrange FOG management, grease line cleaning, or a planned maintenance programme, call 0203 376 4801 or email contactus@icedrainage.co.uk.

Common searches we support include:

• fat oil and grease management

• FOG management for restaurants

• commercial kitchen drain cleaning

• grease line jetting

• grease trap cleaning and maintenance

Speak to ICE Drainage today and well help you reduce blockages, protect operations, and keep your drainage system flowing.